Allegations that the Assam Rifles at Shamator has encroached upon 16 acres of land by constructing fencing along the entire perimeter has turned into a controversy of sorts.According to a report from Shamator, the Assam Rifles was given 9 acres of land but today, is in possession of a total of 25 acres.The report alleged that the civil administration opined that a Head Dobashi had granted the extra land to the Assam Rifles at a “closed-door meeting” by excluding the legal owner of the land.It said the owner (whose name was not mentioned) has been running from pillar to post seeking the return of land which was given without his knowledge and consent to the Assam Rifles but to no avail.According to the report, even the civil administration purportedly disclosed that as per documents available with the office of the ADC Shamator, the Assam Rifles has encroached upon a private land. Further, it claimed that even the judicial section of the DB’s Court had confirmed that the Assam Rifles had encroached upon the extra area of 16 acres. However, the report said, the office of the ADC Shamator has been delaying in issuing the land verification report which only lent credence to the encroachment by the Assam Rifles. It was also claimed that the matter had been brought to the notice of the officer heading the battalion and also the office of the IGAR (N) in Kohima but no action was taken.The claimant has urged the ADC Shamator to take steps for restoration of the land to the rightful owner or else they would seek to redress their grievance from the higher court.